Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton announced today his approval of organizational changes in the Bureau of Indian Affairs that have 'been developed since Secretary Morton himself took the first step last July 23rd in naming John O. Crow to the re-activated position of Deputy Commissioner.
"The organization plan is one designed to tighten administrative management of the Bureau's operations in order to get the most mileage from the Federal dollars being spent for Indian programs," the Secretary said.
The plan, which eliminates the two Associate Commissioner positions created two years ago, places a series of major program offices under direct responsibility of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. It also calls for a direct line from the newly created Office of Indian Water Rights to the Commissioner, who in turn reports directly to the Secretary on Indian water issues.
Nominations of individuals to the key posts, some of which were previously named as top choices by Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Louis R. Bruce, are as follows.
Office of Education Programs: JAMES HAWKINS, as Director. He has been serving for several months as head of this, the largest BIA program in terms of staffing and budget. Office of
Economic Development: ERNEST STEVENS, an Oneida Indian, as Director. He moves laterally from the post of Director of Community Services. The Economic Development Office is responsible for resources development and management, including industrial and tourism development.
Office of Community Services: FLORE LEKANOV, an Aleut who has been serving as Deputy Director will take over in an acting capacity until a new director can be named.
Office of Management Systems: HAROLD COX, a Creek Indian, as Director, moving laterally from the abolished post of Associate Commissioner for Support Services.
Office of Engineering Construction: ALEXANDER MCNABB, as Director. He moves laterally from the position of Director of Operating Services, a post that has been eliminated in the new organization plan.
Office of Administrative Services: CARL CORNELIUS, an Oneida Indian, as Director, promoted from a previous post as Director of Management Services, a sub-office under the general administrative arm of the bureau.
Office of Fiscal Plans and Management: JOHN SYKES to be Director of this operation, which. Incorporates various fiscal and planning operations formerly fragmented.
Office of Audit: operation. MILTON BOYD, who remains as Director of this Office of Inspections: MAURICE JOYCE, who remains as director of this operation.
Office of Planning Research: ROBERT GAJDYS, who moves laterally to Director of this post from the abolished position of Deputy Director of Operating Services.
Office of Legislative Development: HERSCHEL SAHMAUNT, a Kiowa Indian, will serve as acting Director of this function until a director has been selected.
Office of Communications: This function will combine public information, Congressional relations and intergovernmental relations until a director can be named, the present Acting Public Information Officer, THOMAS OXENDINE, will also serve as acting Director of the Office of Communications.
Indian Water Rights Office: HANS WALKER, a Mandan-Sioux, was previously named by Commissioner Bruce and Secretary Morton as the man to head this office, the mission of which is to serve as advocate for Indians on water rights issues.
In addition to making these selections, Secretary Horton also named HARRY RAINBOLT, a Pima Indian, to be Director of Southeast Agencies, a post similar to that of an area directorship in that it oversees BIA operations on several reservations--the Mississippi Choctaw, the North Carolina Cherokee, and the Florida Seminole and Miccosukkee Reservations.
He also concurred in Commissioner Bruce's selection of WILLIAM FREEMAN to be a Special Assistant to the Commissioner, and JAMES HENA, a Tesuque-Pima, to be Executive Assistant.
Further announcements regarding posts filled at present on an acting capacity will be made in the near future.
